Specifically, aluminized mufflers to SS pipes. Also, what wire or stick (have both kinds) would I need?


While we're at it, I will also be welding aluminum for the first time in the not too distant future. Is there anything tricky about Aluminum?

Thank you so much!

 

Yes you can weld mild steel (aluminized) to SS. If it is for exhaust pipe, weld just like you would for mild to mild steel. If it is for strength or apperence let me know and I can give more help.

 

Thanks. The mild, aluminized steel will be a muffler (not sure if flowmaster or spintech) and the ss is exhaust pipe.

The aluminin in question will be for under insulation and carpet inside the car. The easiest way to think of it would be to envision a sort of short, mini-console. I will delete the console, but need to put a rise on the trans tunnel to give my Pro-5.0 shifter clearance and to give me something to put my window and mirror switches on. This thing would screw onto the trans tunnel.

Neither one of these things has to look great, but I like to do quality work.

 

aluminum can be pretty tricky to weld, it just doesn't flow as nice as steel.
to make your job easier, make sure that you have good fitup between your pieces, keep the aluminum super clean, any contamination makes it a lot more difficult to weld. if i'm tryin to a show quality piece, I actually clean the aluminum after every weld, the smoke can contaminate the surface aluminum also. if you plan to do any grinding on your aluminum get an aluminum disk to reduce contamination. I usualy turn my heat down a little more than usual when welding aluminum (stick) but I have a friend that says it works better for him with the heat way up.

hope I helped.
have fun

 

It's not Aluminun pipe/tubing, but "Aluminized", like "galvanized" I think, just a coating on the outside and inside maybe??? of mild steel tubing.

If I'm correct, mig'ing would be a piece of cake after sanding off the "aluminized" coating where you intended to weld and be as strong as the exhaust already was.

Now if for some reason the actual exhaust tubing is alloyed with Aluminum (but i don't think so) then disregard my babbling